<<So what lessons should I take from all this?� Besides the obvious
one, buying and mounting a *good* fire extinguisher, which I did mighty
quick.
Woody>>

The lesson here is obvious Woody.
Rubber hoses fatigure / rot, and wear out faster than the parts
surronding them

I would do a conciencious hose check on the Van.
From the fuel lines to all of the coolant lines.
The coolant lines being the weakest point of the vehicle.

A little PM can go a long way .